Stuart Hanson on Brain Gym® 101, the 4 day foundation course
August 2004

Brain Gym Instructors: Suzanne Wade & Jill Wallis

"It is part of everyone’s personal development plan at work to go on a training course at least once a year. Most of us have a rather cynical approach to this American style of training, as it tends to feel like an embarrassing combination of an alcoholics anonymous session coinciding with an episode of the Brittas Empire, “Hello, my name is Stuart and I have problems motivating myself to answer my e-mails”, which is then met with a supportive grunt from colleagues. These secret admissions progress round the group and generally conclude with some necessity to touch one another under some dubious title of group bonding; unfortunately I always get the rather rotund office secretary, who amazes me how quickly she can get across the training room to where I am hiding.

However, this is not the case with Developing Minds Ltd. You will be pleased to know that there is no need to touch anyone that you don’t want to and at no point do you have to confess to being an office deviant. During the whole four days I managed to keep my personal dignity fully intact. I was even allowed to be cynical towards the course activities, allowing my Victor Meldrew mentality to question the validity of what was being taught and the reasoning behind it. With the instructors’ careful explanations, guidance and practical application of the exercises, Brain Gym proved that it was not just a one race winner, but was capable of being an Olympic champion in all fields.

Let Brain Gym have the opportunity of winning some races for you. It is four days that will give you a head start for years to come and maybe give you the confidence to admit to your colleagues of being an office deviant … "

Daphne Duckworth

“…..taking all the courses has been HUGE for me and I could only wish that others may find this also.  I cannot imagine where I would be today without it.”

Course participant (name supplied)

Brain Gym 101: May 2006

Brain Gym Instructor: Mary Howard

“Just to say thank you for an inspiring [course] - I have not felt so positive for a long time. I did some Brain Gym before I started and had all my work completed by 8 o'clock. I have also cooked, done the ironing and had a bath and painted my toes ready for my holiday! I am now pretty tired but couldn't go to bed without thanking you. I am looking forward to trying some out at school tomorrow.”

Janet Foster, Head Teacher, Kirk Sandall Infant School, Doncaster

Training: January 2008

Brain Gym Instructor: Alan Heath

 “When you attended our very successful training day you asked for any feedback in response to the work we have now embarked on in school. Each class completed some simple assessments of the children's abilities particularly related to eye tracking, crossing the mid-line etc and subsequently put in place an intervention strategy for those identified as needing additional input.

All the classes have also integrated the exercises very successfully into their classroom practice for all children and one of our LSAs who leads a brilliant 'Wake up Shake Up' exercise session for children has also integrated the exercises into those sessions.

I have attached some action research one of our trainees has completed on the impact of the intervention strategy on a mixed group of Y1 children which I thought you might find interesting as you will see that for most children it proves conclusively there was a very positive impact.

Thank you for the training you provided it has certainly added another dimension to our work in school.”

For detailed results of the action research, click here.

Ruth Wylie, Head Teacher

Training: January 2007

Brain Gym Instructor: Janice Graham

“The training both motivated and inspired us all - support staff and teaching staff alike. Such was the impact that we have now introduced the PACE process throughout school with photographs of our children demonstrating the programme displayed through our interactive boards. Fantastic!”

Training: date to come

Brain Gym Instructor: Jill Wallis

Head Teacher: " Primrose Lane Primary School and Nursery has recognised the value of Brain Gym for our children, and staff! The sessions presented by Jill were thoughtful, effective and have led to the successful introduction of Brain Gym throughout the school."

Deputy Head Teacher: “Since [the] training we now have daily Brain Gym®. I want to extend Brain Gym® in school further, with regular sessions for children with specific difficulties. The twilight session was excellent. I feel relaxed and confident about developing Brain Gym®. I have seen the positive effects of it for myself. [The] sessions [were] well prepared and professionally delivered.

Training: April 2008

Brain Gym Instructor: Jill Wallis

“It helped me to understand how to identify difficulties with children and give them strategies to overcome them (particularly writing).” ….”Extremely well presented” ….” It will make me look at the pupils with an easier view and hopefully not think they can’t be changed/helped” … “Brain Gym should be extended to all PRU staff”.

Inset: 25 January 2005

Brain Gym Instructor: Jill Wallis (for Osiris Educational)
Kathleen Flynn, keyworker:

“I found it very helpful both on a personal level and in terms of improving the concentration of children I work with. Yes, we should be able to make use of some of the exercises on the sebs course. I found [the] learning style very pleasant and informative - I felt relaxed and engaged.”

2 hour seminar: May 2007

Brain Gym Instructor: Mary Howard

“Thank you for your wonderful inset yesterday.  We all really enjoyed your session and ou will be pleased to hear that many of us have already put some of yesterday's activities into practice.”

Inset: April 2008

Brain Gym Instructor: Jill Wallis

“It helped me to understand how to identify difficulties with children and give them strategies to overcome them (particularly writing).” ….”Extremely well presented” ….” It will make me look at the pupils with an easier view and hopefully not think they can’t be changed/helped” … “Brain Gym should be extended to all PRU staff”.

2 hour seminar: January 2006

Brain Gym Instructor: Mary Howard

“I would like to thank you for the excellent two hours of Brain Gym on Monday.

The staff were very receptive to the idea of introducing Brain Gym exercises within the classroom context and many members have said that they would like more time/training now on exercises that will help individuals and groups of children in the classroom.

I do think that this is certainly something that the whole junior department would like to see applied throughout and hopefully the senior staff would be able to follow on with their students who have done it as juniors.”

Helen Knott, Head Teacher

Inset: date

Brain Gym Instructor: Jill Wallis

“Jill’s training met our requirements in every way: very inclusive and useful. It will be underpinning what we’ll be doing in school this year. I’m sure it will reduce stress levels when necessary.”

Patrick Sabin, Head Teacher

Inset: date

Brain Gym Instructor: Jill Wallis

“The practical nature of the course was particularly useful. I also found the theoretical information fascinating. The video material was excellent.”